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Many Delta regulations miss the mark, says commentary

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 21, 2008 at 7:56 am

From the Sacramento Bee, this commentary by Laura King Moon, assistant general manager of the State Water Contractors:

Every day, Sacramento’s wastewater treatment plant sends 13 tons of ammonia downstream to the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta, potentially disturbing the Delta’s food web in profound and destructive ways. Agricultural runoff flows freely through the estuary’s waters. Exotic species of clams consume much of the critical food supply. Nonnative fish prey on native smelt and salmon.

Unchecked and unmanaged, these and other threats to the Delta’s fisheries are tolerated on a regular basis. Yet, in an imbalance that grows greater with every passing month, the already heavily regulated water projects in the Delta – projects that supply water to millions of California residents, businesses and farmers – get hit with restriction after restriction on water flows.

It happened in November, when the California Fish and Game Commission made a decision that could drastically reduce water supplies in an attempt to protect a single species, the longfin smelt. It happened again this week, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service imposed new restrictions – cutting up to half of the traditional water supplies in dry years – because of a different species, the Delta smelt. Come spring, still more restrictions may be looming for two different species of salmon.

The endless churn of bureaucracy and conflict surrounding the singular issue of water pumping is not creating a healthier Delta. Too many other stresses contributing to the Delta’s decline have been left unaddressed.

Read the rest of Laura King Moon’s commentary in the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.

December 21, 2008 · Filed Under Bay Delta Conservation Plan, Other Delta Issues

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